19.12.2008 - The MNB-C participates in the local economy and encourages professional training for Darfur refugees
The administrative and finance services of EUFOR Tchad/RCA multinational battalion centre are responsible for managing the estimates, orders and competition implementation of purchases for the EUFOR camp in Forchana. For some occasional purchases and simple products EUFOR can turn towards the local economy.
This is done very willingly when these purchases can contribute to the reinsertion of refugees and IDPs that EUFOR has come to protect. Thus, for some objects improving the living conditions in the Forchana camp such as tables, chairs, trestles and shelves… the administrative and finance services have provided a local professional training centre with work.
Implemented by a German NGO (GTZ) FARTEC, Farchana Technical Education Center, recognised by UNHCR, is a training centre that benefits more than 200 people. 70% are Sudanese refugees, victims of the Darfur conflict whereas the remaining 30% are Chadians who have been displaced due to the proximity of that conflict.
7 professional subjects are offered to those populations who expect a return to a normal life: sewing, saponification, dyeing, metallurgy, masonry, electricity and mechanics. The educational aspect requires a period for apprenticeship and a period for the making so the lead time is a bit longer than in the village of Farchana. On the other hand, quality of the FARTEC products is irreproachable.

  

18.12.2008 - First flights for the Russian helicopters

On the morning of 8 December 2008, the first part of the Russian contingent, whose integration within EUFOR Tchad/RCA was decided 5 November 2008, landed on the Chadian ground.

Around one hundred military personnel from the Air Force and four MI 8 helicopters arrived on board an Antonov jumbo. The helicopters will rapidly take part in the various missions of the operation (amongst them the transportation of troops and freight).

Since 11 November 2008, the Russian mechanic teams have tackled to prepare the aircraft (additional parts and tanks, maintenance procedures…) and early on 13 December the first MI 8 helicopters flight-tests occurred on the SCH Kossei air base in N’Djamena.

When those operations ended, the aircraft were able to pass the validation test with different flight phases.

On 15 December they reached by air their operational base in Abeche.

They will have their first operational flights some days after the acclimatisation and training of the crews.
  
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17.12.2008 - The Multinational Detachment in Birao, Central African Republic (CAR)
Near Birao in the region of Vakaga, North-eastern part of CAR, EUFOR set up a Multinational Detachment in charge of the local population's security. They also keep watch over eventual movements of unidentified-armed elements that could reach camps of refugees and IDPs sites along the Chadian border.
Monitoring the area is a mission currently executed by the French-German Brigade. The Detachment is composed of 2 camps, one located near the runways and the other on the outskirts of Birao. The Detachment has 4 sections whose main operational activity is patrols on foot and vehicle patrols. One of those sections is capable of ensuring a fire support with its mortars.
The Detachment also includes an Air-transportable Surgical Unit equipped with an operation room and a hospitalisation tent, as well as a sickbay and a general practice service. Additionally, there is a detachment of Advanced Air Controllers in charge of targeting ground objectives and localising friendly elements for the Mirage F1 fighters, one provost marshal unit, one MINURCAT office (Mission of the United Nations in CAR and Chad), one detachment of Air Engineers, one element of the Petroleum Oil Lubricants Office and a connecting group of Communication and Information Systems.

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11.12.2008 - The Petroleum Oil Lubricants Office, a key element of EUFOR Tchad/RCA operational support

The Petroleum Oil Lubricants (POL) Office provides in all circumstances the supply in fuel and other products (lubricants, additives) necessary for the functioning of aircraft and other kind of vehicles used by EUFOR.

The POL Office provides all the technical operations’ chain (except for conveying the fuel from the refinery to the depot, which has been outsourced to a civilian firm): storage, refuelling (aircraft and other vehicles), fuel maintenance of the Office’s vehicles, quality control of the supplied fuel, transport between N’Djamena and Abeche.

The POL Detachment in Chad and CAR is organised as follow:

- 2 main sites in N’Djamena and Abeche

- 1 isolated personnel (lance corporal) with a huge responsibility, assigned on each site in Faya Largeau, Birao and Forchana.

For the POL Office, Chad and CAR represent the most important operation theatre abroad, with a total fuel volume of 4.5 million litres. EUFOR caused a rise of power of the Detachment, especially in Abeche, where manning increased from 2 to 15, three of whom assigned to the Light Aviation Detachment's (DETALAT) fuel support. Furthermore, several civilian locals are employed as petrol attendant or fuel mechanics.

Because of the high technical competence of the POL personnel deployed on the theatre, they sometimes have to realise very delicate operations, like “de-fuelling” a Transall C160 (which consists in emptying part of the aircraft’s fuel to transfer it into a cistern or the tank of another aircraft or vehicle) which is the only way to supply fuel to the site of Birao.

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Since the beginning of operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA, Greece has put at the disposal of the EUFOR operation a Hercules C130 for one week per month. This aircraft takes part each day in intra-theatre transport of EUFOR personnel and logistics.
The crew has one day of test flights to get familiar with the Chadian particular conditions and runways. They can perform up to two rounds a day.
Along with the C130 aircraft, the Greek Air Force put in place two complete crews and a team of mechanics. This support is valuable, because it offers a non-negligible transport capacity in an extensive theatre of operation.

4.12.2008 - Communication of EUFOR to the local population
The objective of the persons in charge of communication of the operation EUFOR is three-fold: to reinforce the population favourable to the operation, to convince those with doubts and to dissuade the hostile population from striking EUFOR.
In areas where media is not so present, the most efficient way to communicate through direct contact with the local population and the traditional and administrative authorities.
The mission starts with a visit to the local sub-prefect and the Head of the canton. The team leader, accompanied by two translators, cordially begins discussions with them and inquiries about the local situation concerning the population, crops, and possible security problems.
Afterwards, they meet the inhabitants. The team photographer takes some shots of the children hovering around him. All of them would be able to see themselves during a slide show broadcast in the bush in the so-called “ciné brousse” or “bush cinema”. The showing usually ends with a childrens movie. In this context, “Kirikou” achieves great success.
This is also the occasion for the team leader to discuss with traders and a group leader of internally displaced persons living in the village. Using leaflets in French and Arabic, he explains the role of EUFOR and introduces them to the European military personnel in charge of the area. The day ends in a village nearby, under a tree, drinking tea with a village "elder" and several villagers.

  
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1.12.2008 - Detachment of information and communication systems

As lead nation in the communication and information system (CIS) field for this operation, France has to provide all the technical assets to establish computers and phones connections enabling EUFOR battalions to communicate with their headquarters (FHQ) located in Abeche.

The French connecting group in Goz Beida has this operational mission. They must permanently provide the command system to the Irish Battalion enabling them to receive orders from the FHQ in Abeche.

A Signal Corps Non-Commissoned Officer (NCO) is in charge of the connecting group, which is composed of 4 NCOs and 2 Privates. Their technical assets are modern and efficient, offering to the Irish Battalion a command system with a close-to-100%-availability rate in all circumstances.

This command system is essentially based on a satellite broadband connection, entirely protected with robust encryption assets that prevent any interception. A comprehensible IT system completes the system, providing capacities in terms of cartographic pictures processing and crisis management. Computers linked to this network can exchange all operational data, practically in real time and wherever their location.

27.11.2008 - Meeting in Goz Beida between the Irish civilian-military cooperation (CIMIC) team and representatives of NGOs and international organisations
In the framework of the relationships between the EUFOR operation and humanitarian organisations present in Chad, CIMIC liaison officers take part in many meetings with the various NGOs and international organisations. During those exchanges, CIMIC teams have a better perception of the humanitarian work on the spot along with their possible needs or wishes towards EUFOR.

Thus, in the region of Goz Beida, Major O’Shea, the CIMIC liaison officer of the Multinational Battalion South (MNB-S), and his deputy, Captain Collins, took part in a meeting gathering the NGOs and international organisations present in the region. The meeting took place on the premises of UNOCHA (United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).

During this meeting, two Irish officers gave a briefing on the evacuation procedures for NGOs and international organisations by EUFOR in case of crisis, as well as the line to take by everyone. Captain Collins was in charge of the briefing as she speaks French fluently.

Those meetings are crucial because they allow us, through mutual knowledge, to improve relationships on the ground as well as work efficiency.

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24.11.2008 - The Engineers of the Air Force: specialists at the service of EUFOR

The main mission of the Air Engineers within operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA is to permanently ensure the operational maintenance of the various aeronautical platforms used by the force, especially the landing strips of the multi-national battalions.

To do so, the Air engineers conduct various technical operations. First of all, an extensive analysis of the terrain (topography, bearing capacity, size, etc.) to check its compatibility with the current standards (different ones according to the kind of aircraft) in order to eventually have it accredited. Then, intervention can be conducted to standardise the terrain and maintain its operational condition, despite air activities, which sometimes are intense and put the runways to the test. Interventions are numerous: runway’s extension, elimination of obstacles or ruts, marking.

The EUFOR Air engineers are deployed in the whole theatre. Command is located in Abeche and integrated in the logistical battalion (BATLOG). Each battalion has one operational technical group composed of one non-commissioned officer as team leader, and 5 to 7 sappers, and one mechanic.

Everyday, the group leader informs the air command of the runway conditions and the possibility to use it or not. When not involved into mission related to their speciality, Air engineers ensure more classical engineer works for the battalions .

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A EUMC delegation led by General Bentégeat, President of the Committee, visited the EUFOR Tchad/RCA theatre from 6 to 8 November 2008. The delegation was composed of military representatives of the States involved in the operation and of the EU Military Committee (EUMS) members.

On 6 November, after their arrival in N’Djamena airport, the delegation took part to a welcoming ceremony in camp Europa before being invited at the Force commander General Ganascia’s place.

In the evening, the delegation flew to Abeche where they met the Governor before joining camp des Etoiles where a dinner had been organised with soldiers from most countries present on the ground.

On 7 November, a ceremony was organised with a medal parade followed by military material presentation.

The delegation left to Goz Beida where it met the Governor and international organisations and NGOs on the spot. Then they set off again for N’Djamena and flew back to Europe the day after.

18.11.2008 - Irish patrols in Goz Beida

In the framework of the Quick Response Force and in order to secure and protect the locals, Irish elements of the Multi-National Battalion – South (MNB-S), belonging to the 98^th Infantry Battalion, do 3 patrols every day (one of which is carried out during the night) in Goz Beida and its surroundings. They alternate week off and duty-week with the Dutch troops also involved in the MNB-S .

Each patrol takes place in 2 phases:

1. - A slower progression with the patrol leader and infantrymen on foot. The leader is accompanied by a translator helping him fulfill his mission of information gathering from local authorities and NGOs managers. This is an opportunity for the troops to have contact with the locals.
2. Afterwards, the patrol leader comes back to the camp with information such as general sentiments and possible events creating insecurity. He immediately reports to the Battalion operational commander.

The population and the local authorities perceive these patrols positively: the feeling of security has undeniably increased during the last weeks because of the EUFOR military presence amongst them.

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5.11.2008 - Signature of the agreement on the participation of the Russian Federation in the operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), signed today with the Russian Ambassador, an agreement between the European Union and the Russian Federation on the Russian participation in the operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA.

This participation, which involves 4 helicopters and 120 soldiers, is an important contribution to EUFOR. It will improve our military capabilities in the field and is also an important step for cooperation with Russia in the field of crisis management.

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31.10.2008 - Spanish CASA
Present in Chad since the beginning of June, two Spanish CASA C295 airplanes are proving to be an essential asset for the EUFOR Tchad/RCA operation.

EUFOR has got French and Spanish tactical airplane transport, and the reinforcement of a Greek airplane during a week each month. From time to time, one Troop Contributing Nation (TCN) is able to further reinforce these air assets with an additional airplane. The reinforcement usually takes place during the hand over of contingents. Their missions are both logistical and troops transport.

Since 10 October 2008, CASAs have received authorisation from their government to land on Multi National Battalion (Iriba, Forchana et Goz Beida) airstrips.

This evolution will provide more flexibility for air transport planning.

29.10.2008 - The involvement of Mirage F1 fighters in EUFOR
From the beginning of EUFOR Tchad/RCA operation, France has provided aerial support with its Mirage F1 CR and Mirages F1 CT, based in N’Djamena.

Complementing, on a daily basis, the UAV and other information gathering efforts the Mirages carry out reconnaissance missions over the EUFOR area of operations. These last for up to three hours with an air re-supply facilitated by C135.

On their return to N’Djamena, the photographic data collected is developed and analysed by photographic interpreters. Their assessments are collated at the Operation Head Quarters assisting greatly the development of the Operations awareness picture.

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22.10.2008 - Medal parade for the Swedish Contingent

The Swedish contingent organised its own medal parade on Saturday 4 October 2008 in the Europa camp.

Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Gardesten (Swedish contingent commander) attented the medal ceremony of 120 soldiers from the Swedish contingent of EUFOR Tchad/RCA.

Present since the operation was launched, the Swedish contingent has now reached the end of its mandate. Currently it is in its recovery phase. Sunday 19 October 2008 will mark the end of the Swedish engagement in Chad and Central African Republic.

7.-8.10.2008 - Ambassadors delegation visits EUFOR

A delegation of Ambassadors and Chargé d’Affaires in charge of Chad visited Eastern Chad on 7 and 8 October 2008, on the invitation of the French ambassador, representing the EU presidency, and Genaral Ganascia, Force commander.

The purpose was to give to the diplomatic corps the opportunity to visit EUFOR units in Eastern Chad.

On 7 October, the delegation visited Camp des Etoiles (Stars Camp), in Abeche. During the visit, they were updated on the operation situation. Then, the delegation moved to Forchana. The Multinational Batallion (MNB) Centre explained its organisation and operations in its area of responsability. Moving to Goz Beida at the end of afternoon, the delegation slept in BMN South camp. The second day was devoted to visiting the Chadian authorities and IDP’s camp in the Goz Beida area.

This visit was the occasion for the Ambassadors to discover the reality of the EUFOR operation and hear local inhabitants express their satisfaction with the beneficial effects of EUFOR's presence.

   

14.10.2008 - Operation ATRIA

Operation ATRIA was conducted by EUFOR Tchad/RCA mid-September. This operation took place in the north-eastern region of Abeche.

The detachments involved in this operation were: the Multinational Battalions Centre and North, Multinational Detachment of Birao, Logistic Battalion and the medical support - in total approximately 500 European soldiers. The priority of this exercise, as in previous ones, was to strengthen the local population’s feeling of security by showing and explaining EUFOR’s presence.

Because of the rainy season hindering movement in these areas, the air transport played a major role: use of helicopters for transport of units beyond wadis (really impassable rivers), UAV missions, Mirage F1 guiding training for ground troops.

This operation was also the occasion to test the deployment of a co-ordination cell and a tactical command post.

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9.10.2008 - Horse patrols near the Sudanese border

One of the main consequences of the rainy season is a severe restriction on movement. In many places, vehicles cannot be used. Under these circumstances, riding becomes an effective and even a compulsory mode of transport. Consequently, the Multinational Batallion Centre organised horse patrols in the BOROTHA region, south of Forchana, near the Sudanese border. Horse patrols have also been conducted in the region of Wadi KADJA.
An irregular patrolling pattern eases relations with the population on the one hand, and ensures EUFOR's presence on the other hand, not withstanding the poor weather conditions.

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